Schematic Design

Many Owners and general contractors believe that the lightest frame is the best design and most cost effective. Steel teams have proven time and time again that this is just not true. Our objective is a design at the least cost per sq. ft. This is accomplished by optimizing productivity (reducing labor hours), both in the shop and in the field.

Time and money are saved by reducing the number of different parts, using the most cost effective connection types, and the ease of erection.

Design Development

GMP Estimate

Final Structural Model

Construction Docs.

Our process is developed so we can concentrate on your project. The engineer, fabricator, detailer and erector have worked together on prior projects. Mundane (but important) things like preferred connection types, bracing systems, and erection sequences are all pre-established.

Steel teams use a paperless approach known as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). The structural engineer designs the frame from the Gerdau Fast-Frame inventory (175 part numbers of the most commonly used Wide-Flanged-Beam sections and lengths).

With a project commitment, steel availability is GUARANTEED, period. If we do not have it in stock, we will source it or replace it with an acceptable alternate at our expense.

ABM

Shop Drawings

Steel Delivery

Approval

The ABM (advanced bill of material) is then created and the steel ordered. The engineer's 3-D model is shared with the detailer, so that the creation of shop drawings is greatly accelerated.

While the steel is being delivered, the shop drawing approval process occurs. This process is also much quicker than the traditional method, since all responsible parties have been involved from the onset.

The approved shop drawing model is then translated to CNC (computer numerically controlled) data to run the automated fabrication beam-line.

Fabrication

Erect Frame

Detail Work

Fabrication productivity is enhanced. How? Minimize the total number of pieces, select sections with favorable geometry, and minimize the number of different pieces.

These combine to: Reduce design time, reduce detailing, simplify procurement, and simplify tracking.

A fabrication company and erection company that has been involved from the start of the project fabricates and erects the frame. It should come as no surprise that field fit-up problems are virtually non-existent and that detail work is completed more rapidly.

Schematic Design

Design Development

Construction Docs.

A linear, sequential process that does not incorporate sufficient communication between disciplines. A consultant engineer is hired by the architect for the “lowest fee,” with no incentive to produce the optimal final erected design on a $/sq. ft. basis. The fabricator, erector, connection designer and material provider are not consulted or involved at this stage.

Bid

Fabricator estimates cost and builds in 'contingency' for incomplete information. Time is lost while bids are prepared and reviewed.

As the general contractor reviews the bids, the emphasis is on selecting the fabricator with the low number. Little weight is given to qualifications, reputation or schedule.

If the bids all come in higher than budget, the process starts over and is value-engineered (translation: something is taken-out), to stay within the budget.

The bid winning fabricator often finds that a certain section is unavailable or requires a long lead-time. This fact often necessitates a redesign cycle, once again slowing the process and adding cost.

Frequently, the fabricator finds him self upside-down on the bid once all the information is available. In an effort to salvage a profit, every opportunity is made to find an excuse to put in a change-order. Field fit-up problems are common. Change-orders are expensive and add cost, delay and conflict.

ABM

Advanced Bill of Material is created. Material sourcing begins. Delays are induced do to long mill rolling cycles, delivery logistic problems and by searching for infrequently produced shapes and sections.

Shop Drawings

Steel Delivery

Approval

Revisions

While steel is being delivered the shop drawing /detailing/ and process begins. Typically another engineer is hired to design connections because the structural engineer is selected by low bid. This duplication of effort is inefficient and adds unseen cost and delay.

The approval process is long and painful since the parties involved have not been working together from the onset.

Fabrication

Erect Frame

Detail Work

Numerous requests for information (RFI) and change-orders are immediately started, leading to conflict, added cost and delay.

Fabricators remark: “I wish someone had asked me, we could have produced this job for a lot less money if only...”

Field and fit-up problems are common that require expensive onsite repair ultimately leading to back-charges. Once again conflict ensues as to who is responsible. Its no wonder this project delivery approach is often referred to as: Design-Bid-Build-Sue.